Last week we promised to bring you some very stylish and glamorous homes. There's something about that word glamour that conjures up mental images of gorgeous gowns, captivating design and elegant homes filled with sophisticated and classic furniture, sumptuous fabrics and of course the ever compulsory dazzling chandelier or two!

"When I think of of glamour, I think of the strength of Katharine Hepburn in a black turtleneck and black pants with a red scarf thrown around her neck, or the exquisite unpretentiousness of Audrey Hepburn in Capri pants, ballet flats and a white shirt."

"Glamour is at the intersection of timelessness, simplicity, originality and unqualified confidence in good taste."

Jan Showers...Author of 'Glamorous Rooms'

Easy Ways to Glam it Up

With a Chandelier

Add some sumptuously decadent cushions to a classic chair

Or with a mirror.

Or try some amazing wallpaper, like this one by Unique Fabrics from their Metal and Glass Collection

Jardan Enzo Sofa including European Fabric Cushions Was $10,500 now $8,400!

St Christole Reclaimed French Oak Timber Table with Parquetry top and Forged Iron Base was $15,985 now $13,500!

TALKING TURKEY

This week, we had a surplus of lamb in the freezer, so I dug out this really tasty recipe for Iskender Kebab. Its a traditional Turkish recipe that is really easy to prepare. Dont be too worried about the prep time because this includes marinating. You can prepare in the morning before work, and then cook it up when you get home. I like being able to use ingredients that are pretty much staple at home to create something quite exotic. Give this one a go over the weekend and let us know what you think.

ISKENDER KEBABS

Preparation Time

30 - 150 minutes

Cooking Time

40 minutes

Ingredients (serves 4)

2 brown onions, coarsely grated

60ml (1/4 cup) fresh lemon juice

60ml (1/4 cup) olive oil

800g lamb eye of loin (backstrap), cut into 3cm pieces

260g (1 cup) Greek-style natural yoghurt

2 garlic cloves, crushed

2 tsp sweet paprika

1/4 tsp chilli powder

375ml (1 1/2 cups) passata (tomato pasta sauce)

125ml (1/2 cup) water

1 x 400g loaf Turkish bread

2 tomatoes, halved

4 long fresh green chillies

Shredded iceberg lettuce, to serve

Bought tabouli, to serve (available at the supermarket deli section)...or you could use couscous with some fresh herbs tossed through and a squeeze of lemon.

LIFE IS FOR LIVING...AND COCKTAILS! HAPPY FRIDAY!

This is going on the Christmas/Birthday list....the Cyclone Cocktail Shaker...how cool!!

The automated Cyclone Cocktail Shaker creates a mini tornado of ingredients as it blends your drink of choice in it’s clear mixing container. Mixing up to 16-ounces at a time this looks to be a great conversation piece for any geeks wet bar. I want one!

THE 'CHOCOLATE ESCAPE' COCKTAIL

Had a hard week? Feel like you need to ease yourself into the weekend with a treat just for you? Then try our Chocolate Escape Cocktail. It really is just so easy to make and a treat to drink...you wont want to stop at the one! Kick off your shoes, put the feet up....perhaps a bit of Nora Jones on the stereo...'Come Away With Me' would be the preferred song selection....take a deep breath and enjoy! You deserve it.

Ingredients

1 tsp of chocolate spread (like Nutella)

1 espresso coffee

25ml rum

30ml coffee liquor

15ml caramel syrup

40ml fresh double cream.

METHOD

1. Gently lay the chocolate spread on the bottom of a martini glass. Pour a freshly made espresso on top.

2. Shake the rest of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and fill up the glass.

3. Sprinkle chocolate powder on top to garnish.

DELICIOUS!

Wishing you all a very happy weekend...enjoy...relax and most importantly...have fun!